Jersey's loyalty to the English crown was not always freely given. In 1204, to ensure Jersey's loyalty, King John took hostages from the local seigneurs and they were not freed until twelve years later. A more pleasant alternative, generally practiced by English monarchs, has been granting of rights and privileges in return for loyalty and support.

In medieval times rights and privileges were granted in royal charters but by the 16th century their function had been taken over by Letters Patent.


1378 Charter

The oldest Charter held at the Jersey Archive dates back to 1378. In it, King Richard II confirmed the privileges granted to Jersey by Edward I in an even earlier charter.

After the execution of Charles I in 1649, Jersey was the first place to proclaim his son King Charles II. It was not until the end of the English Civil War, eleven years later, that he was actually crowned king in England. The Vicomte, Laurens Hamptonne, made that first proclamation in the Market Place in 1649. He had been granted the office of Vicomte in letters patent twenty-eight years earlier by King James I.

Hamptonne's property was secured in 1649 by further letters patent guaranteeing that his property and lands would not be divided upon his death as usually happened in the Island. This is why the farm at Hamptonne (now Jersey's Rural Life Museum) is also known as "La Patente".


Charles II issued letters patent in 1663 to show his gratitude for the hospitality and loyalty shown to him when he visited the Island during the English Civil War. His letters patent confirmed the rights and privileges set out by his father, Charles I, and made a gift of the Royal Mace to the Bailiff of Jersey.


James II's Letters Patent


Charles II's Charter

The charters, letters patent and documents signed by the kings and queens of England are held at the Jersey Archive. This James II letter patent demonstrates the colour and splendour often invested in royal documents.